Find your paradise
Welcome to About Time Lodge in Kartong, Gambia
Looking for something different? Something a bit more, well… Relaxing maybe?… Or adventurous perhaps?… A walk on the wild side even? Why not visit the secluded jungle beach paradise that is About Time Lodge? At the centre of Paradise Beach, but at the very edge of Gambia. It’s just the adventure, or sanctuary, you’ve been looking for. Find your paradise.
What we offer
A natural tranquil paradise right on the beach & only 40 minutes from the airport. Stay in one of our traditional African roundhouses, with an ensuite bathroom and solar generated electricity. The sea view restaurant includes vegan options. See turtles, ospreys, flamingos, monkeys, bush babies, mongoose & monitor lizards. About Time is a quiet off-grid affair allowing you to feel the jungle and ocean around you. Simple but comfortable - African style and Gambian staffed.
Our philosophy
About Time is a partnership between Gambia and Britain, and aims to provide a safe haven from the stresses and strains of daily life. The Gambian crew at About Time have all seized an opportunity with this project to make a future for themselves. About Time employ skilled craftsmen, like carpenters, masons and chefs, as well as local workers, for whom we provide on the job training. We solar generate all our own power and source our food locally. We build and craft from local materials, and recycle as much of what we use as possible.
Protection and conservation
We aim to protect and conserve the beautiful nature and wildlife here and so any animal (except a mosquito) arriving at About Time is protected. So please, if something is scaring or bugging you, even a spider, don’t kill it, just ask a member of staff!
The accommodation
Prices include breakfast
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Ninky Nanka room
Ninky Nanka room is the first room we finished at About Time. Ninky Nanka is the local Gambian Dragon. We might think of Ninky Nanka as mythological, but there are many Gambians who swear she’s real! The space is half of a large African roundhouse built in traditional style with intricate woodwork for the roofing supports.
There is a spacious bedroom with wardrobe and a king sized bed with lots of underbed storage space. The ensuite bathroom has a simple shower, toilet and washbasin, with mahogany shelves for toiletries and a mirror. At the front is a shady verandah with large mahogany table, built by staff and by hand, with comfortable chairs. The verandah gives onto a huge cashew tree providing shade, coolness and a hangout for wildlife.
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Folonko room
Folonko Room is half of a large African roundhouse built in traditional style with intricate woodwork for the roofing supports. There is a spacious bedroom with wardrobe and a king sized bed. The ensuite bathroom has a simple shower, toilet and washbasin, and a mirror. At the front is a shady verandah with large mahogany table, built by staff and by hand in 2012, with comfortable chairs. The verandah gives onto a huge cashew tree providing shade, coolness and a hangout for wildlife.
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Bah room
Bah room is half of a large African roundhouse built in traditional style with intricate woodwork for the roofing supports. There is a spacious bedroom with wardrobe and a king sized bed. The ensuite bathroom has a simple shower, toilet and washbasin, and a mirror. At the front is a shady verandah with mahogany table and comfortable chairs. Bah means big. But it is also the surname of the founder of About Time, Abou Bah. Sadly lost at sea in 2021 - but always in our thoughts.
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Abou room
Abou room is half of a large African roundhouse built in traditional style with intricate woodwork for the roofing supports. There is a spacious bedroom with wardrobe and a king sized bed. The ensuite bathroom has a simple shower, toilet and washbasin, and a mirror. At the front is a shady verandah with mahogany table and comfortable chairs. Abou was the founder of About Time. Sadly lost at sea in 2021 - but always in our thoughts.
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Bravo room
Bravo is the whole of an African roundhouse - a Tiny House with it’s own verandah - so it’s great for privacy, and surrounded by jungle! There is a double bedroom with wardrobe and a king sized bed. The ensuite bathroom has a simple shower, toilet and washbasin, and a mirror. At the front is a shady verandah with a mahogany table - the colour scheme and tiles are blue, so you could be on a Greek island… Bravo is the name of a newborn patas monkey rescued from the jungle by soldiers from the local Bravo company. The soldiers brought Bravo to About Time and asked us to look after her, so she grew up here, living free in the trees. Sadly she passed away a few years back - but we’ll never forget her, the mischief she caused and the tears of the soldiers who loved her so.
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Niokobok room
Niokabok means “we are all one” in the local Wolof dialect. Niokobok Tiny House is currently under construction and should be ready in Autumn 2022.
Breakfast is included with each of our stays. If there are additional guests for the rooms, there is an additional charge of £5 per person for breakfast. Just select the number of guests when you book on Air BnB.